Well I guess I was born with a gun in my hand
We'd walk the big clearcuts in the pine timberland
Well the army man told me that I could defend the free
Aw and draw me a paycheck, get a tech-school degree
I said hey now Sergeant, that sure does sound fine
Well the sawmill ain't hiring, tell me where do I sign
Won't you light a lantern for me
I'll be gone but not for long
Won't you keep a candle burning
Won't you leave a porch light on
Well my hands are still steady and they still hold a gun
And this suit of a soldier for your Southeastern son
Well tell mom not to worry if she's taking it hard
Never thought I'd see action back when I joined the Guard
Well all this will be over more later than soon
As I wrote in a letter beneath the big Afghan moon
Won't you light a lantern for me
I'll be gone but not for long
Won't you keep a candle burning
Won't you leave a porch light on
Won't you light a lantern for me
I'll be gone but not for long
Won't you keep a candle burning
Won't you leave a porch light on
We'd walk the big clearcuts in the pine timberland
Well the army man told me that I could defend the free
Aw and draw me a paycheck, get a tech-school degree
I said hey now Sergeant, that sure does sound fine
Well the sawmill ain't hiring, tell me where do I sign
Won't you light a lantern for me
I'll be gone but not for long
Won't you keep a candle burning
Won't you leave a porch light on
Well my hands are still steady and they still hold a gun
And this suit of a soldier for your Southeastern son
Well tell mom not to worry if she's taking it hard
Never thought I'd see action back when I joined the Guard
Well all this will be over more later than soon
As I wrote in a letter beneath the big Afghan moon
Won't you light a lantern for me
I'll be gone but not for long
Won't you keep a candle burning
Won't you leave a porch light on
Won't you light a lantern for me
I'll be gone but not for long
Won't you keep a candle burning
Won't you leave a porch light on
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A song like “Southeastern Son” is based on my cousins, both of whom are deployed. Not everyone gets into the National Guard to be a hero or save the world. Those guys were just trying to make a living in a small town. Not to detract from the work they’ve done or anything… but they just weren’t planning on leaving the country when they signed up. I thought it was an interesting standpoint.
Q&A: Turnpike Troubadours